Spud wrench



July 21, 1959 E. H. com-:Tf

` sPUD WRENCH Filed May 6, 1958 INV ENTOR E.H. com u-:TT

ATTORNEY United States Patent O SPUD WRENCH Endsley Henry Collett, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Application May 6,1958, Serial No. 733,288

3 Claims. (Cl. 81-72) This invention relates to improvements in a device used by plumbers and pipe iitters and commonly known as spud wrenches.

When installing devices as sinks, wash basins and bath tubs, which have drain outlets at their lowest points, it is common to use a short section of tubing called a spud in the drain opening to afford means for attaching a drain pipe usually connected to a main sewer connection. Since these spuds are usually comparatively short and do not extend much below the sink or tub they must be held by a tool engaging the inner surface whenever the spud is to be installed in, or removed from, a sink or tub. The object of this invention is to provide a simple and effective tool for use in installing or removing such spuds.

A preferred form of the device is shown on the drawing in which Fig. 1 shows a side view of the complete device; Fig. 2 is an end view as seen from the right of Fig. l; Fig. 3 is a plane section indicated by line 3-3 in Fig. 2; Figs. 4 and S are top and side views of a spud engaging bar; Fig. 6 is a right-hand end view of the bar shown by Figs. 4 and 5; and Fig. 7 is a plan of a disc-like member to which bars as shown by Figs. 4-6 are attached.

On the drawings 1 is a tubular body member, preferably steel tubing, of a diameter to pass inside a spud with which the tool is used and of a length at least twice that of the spud. This body, as shown, may have one end of reduced outside diameter to more easily enter a spud. A rod 2 having a conical expander end 3 extends through a central opening 16 in a disk 4 resting on one end of body 1 and also passes through a threaded opening 19 in cap 6 threaded on one end of body 1. Rod 2 has threads fitting those in cap opening 19.

Also inside body 1 are flat bars 11, preferably of metal and secured at one end to disk 4 by screws or tap bolts (not shown) passing through openings 15 in the disk and into screw holes 18 in the ends of each bar 11.

The other end of each bar 11 is bent at substantially a right angle to the bar to provide a lug part provided with teeth or serrations 17, for engaging the inside surface of a spud.

Body 1 is provided with slots 14, through which lugs 5 are projected when bars 11 are engaged by expander end 3 on rod 2. The other end of rod 2 extends outwardly through the opening 19 in cap 6 and has mounted thereon a wing nut 7 held rigidly on the rod by a lock pin 8. Springs 12, held in place on bars 11 by rivets 13, engage the inside of body 1 to return lugs 5 to a position in, or inside, slots 14 when the wrench is released for removal from a spud. Disk 4, rod 2 and bars 11 are assembled, the disk is placed upon one end of body 1 and cap 6 then attached to body 1 and held rigidly thereon by means of a lock pin 9, after which nut 7 is secured to rod 2.

The reduced end of body 1 has therein slots or notches 20 for engaging cross bars such as are provided in some sink and bath tub spuds. Such spuds can be held, tightened or backed out by placing slots or notches. 20 over r'2,895,361 Patented July 21, 1959 ICC the coss bar in the spud and with or without use of ugs Some spuds are made with a diametrical crossbar, usually round in cross section, near the center` or one end of the spud. To render such spud more easily assembled or removed the body member of my wrench is provided with notches 20 to t over the crossbar in the spud. In case of a short spud or one easily assembled or removed placing notches 20 over the crossbar and turning the body may be sufficient for assembly or removal of the spud. I have found providing notches 20 also allows the wrench to be inserted in the spud far enough for lugs 5 to engage the inside of a spud, and, if a spud can be placed or removed only with ditliculty, allows use of both lugs 5 and the notches 20 engaging the crossbar in effecting such xalacement or removal.

For use the right end of body 1, as in Figs. 1` and 3, 1s placed inside the spud and wing nut 7 is turned to bring the expander end 3 into contact with the lug ends of bars 11 forcing lugs 5 through slots 14 and into engagement with the inner surface of the spud. If the spud is to be loosened or to be screwed on or o" a threaded member, a pipe wrench or like tool may be used to turn body 1. Reverse turning of nut 7 allows springs 12 to retract lugs 5 releasing their `grip on the spud.

The above disclosed device is a preferred form but changes in form, size, proportion of its parts, or materials used in its construction, are all considered within the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, I have used for body 1 a length of one inch diameter steel tubing but other diameters or materials may be desirable in special uses of the device.

Also lugs 5 and slots 14 are preferably spaced about rtrom each other but the spacing may be varied to some extent without substantial changes in operation or effectiveness of the device.

I claim:

1. A spud wrench comprising an open ended tubular body member provided with slots through its wall near one end thereof, a cap provided with a threaded central opening and engaging the other end of the body member, a threaded expander rod extending from near said slots centrally of the body and through the opening in said cap, a disk member under said cap and provided with an opening through which said expander rod passes, flexible bar members mounted on said disk member and having free ends bent outwardly to provide lug members in registration with the slots in said tubular body member, an expander member on said rod at the end near said slots and adapted to engage the free ends of said flexible bar members to project said lug members through said slots, and means on the end of said expander rod. outside said cap to rotate said rod for moving said expander member axially in said body member.

2. A spud wrench as in claim 1 in which spring members are mounted on the exible bar members and engage the inner surface of the tubular body member to cause retraction of the lug members within the body member slots when the expander member is disengaged from the bar members.

3. A spud wrench as in claim 1 in which one end of the tubular body member is provided with slots for engaging .1 cross bar placed inside a spud.

References Cited inthe file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS` 869,861 Alspaugh Oct. 29, 1907 1,968,872 Campbell Aug. 7, 1934- 1,992,474 Currier Feb. 26, 1935 2,497,633 Shapiro Feb. 14, 1950 2,811,067 Greer Oct. 29, 1957 

